Greater Boston Running Company

Excellent service, needing help choosing compression sleeves for a calf injury and staff well-​informed.

I had two goals for Vermont City Marathon: 3:30 and not to feel like I had done a bad thing to my body. The folks at Greater Boston Running in Andover deserve some credit for helping me achieve #2. I was having joint pain even at (relatively) low miles and intensity. I was looking at cushioning and heel-​toe balance to fix it. With their help I learned that I was running on the outsides of my feet. They guided me to a pair if Supernovas that I never would’ve picked out on my own because they’re ugly as sin and like all sneakers they seemed gimmicky. Lo and behold they manage my funny stride well despite less cushioning and weight than others I was looking at. I finished the big run feeling much better than the last time I ran the same course.

Horrible service.
Showed up to request help with inserts/​orthotics/​shoes and was told they «do not diagnose or treat foot problems». Mind you, what I asked for was help choosing the right kind of equipment to avoid issues. Which is what a store like this typically does, right? Specialty store, specialty service? Nope.
After pointing to the display of orthotics and saying «you cannot look at feet and recommend?» The answer was a resounding «no». And i was corrected «those are not orthotics, they are foam inserts.» Thank you.
I walked out, got on my car and went to WhirlAway sports in methuen where staff looked at gait, arches, and use. I walked out with two appropriate pairs of shoes to help.

Running shoes can be a scary purchase, with varying results — but I will definitely be back here for my next pair!
I have been to a few stores to try and have my gait evaluated to find the right shoes, and have had some interesting opinions. Of course, it’s difficult to argue when you cannot see your own gait. Well, at GBRC you can!
They videotape your gait on the treadmill and then frame by frame both you and the associate can watch. I really liked this method, since the associate can explain a lot while showing you what is going on.
I believe the guy I worked with was Steven — he seemed to be quite knowledgeable about not only gait, but many shoes and brands and explained their features, materials, etc. I ended up buying that day and am thrilled with my shoes.
I also noticed they have weekly yoga classes and group runs — wish I lived closer!
It was an overall positive experience, and I highly recommend GBRC for your running shoe consultation needs.

I went to GBRC in Andover earlier this week looking for a new shoe at the urging of my trainer. Eric was polite, helpful and very informative. He checked my gait on the treadmill and made excellent recommendations. I left with a shoe that I just love.

This is a great store full of wonderful products, but it is the people who work there that make it really special.
I went in as a non-​runner and thought it would be intimidating, but they were SO helpful to me and got me into the perfect sneaker. After running on my own for a few weeks, I signed up for the stores 5K training course for beginners. Who knew that a few months later I would be running my first ever 5K race.
If this store can turn a life long couch potato like myself into a runner, they can do it for anyone!
Thank you to Eric for all the training and help.

Amazing, dedicated service with products they stand behind.
I went into GBRC last week to get fitted for a better pair of shoes because of some forefoot pain I was experiencing in my long runs. Tom was very knowledgeable. He took the time to give me a full assessment, understand what I was looking for in a running shoe, and make an array of recommendations that led to me getting the perfect shoe (like running on clouds… if that’s even possible.)
I will say that their service is so dedicated that you can feel a bit left out if they’re working with another customer, but you won’t be disappointed when they take the same time and care to address any/​all of your concerns. Ask for Tom!

Went in today a new pair of running shoes. The store is located on main street in Andover — very easy to find. The on street parking worked out fine for us, though I do wonder what it’s like during a busier time of day. I went in with the plan to try out the new saucony ride 6, though I was prepared to buy the ride 5 if need be, but also wanted to check out what else they might recommend. Service was outstanding. After looking at my old shoes, and asking what I was looking for, the sales person measured my foot, put me in a pair of neutral shoes, and had me jog on the treadmill. He then showed me the slowed down video of my legs running, pointing out a couple of details. He brought me out several pairs of neutral shoes, including the requested ride 6 and had me try out each one on the treadmill. After more analysis and discussion, I ending up purchasing the ride 6. Even though I ended up with exactly the shoe I expected to buy, I appreciated his help and attention to detail. I was also very happy that they did indeed have the shoe I wanted, as this particular model had just come out! Prices are comparable to other running stores, and the shoes I purchased are the same price in the store as they are on the manufacturer’s website. The store was attractive and if I wasn’t in a bit of a time crunch I would have liked to browse a bit more. Overall was a very good experience.

I went in here a couple of weeks ago because I had a groupon and figured I’d check out this new addition to the community. Having been to Marathon Sports in Melrose several times I had pretty high expectations in terms of getting one on one assistance to ensure that I get the right fit in running sneakers (considering how much they cost). Unfortunately, GBRC does not come close to Marathon Sports in customer attentiveness. I went in and made it clear I’m just beginning trail running and needed help picking out a good fit for sneakers. For 90% of the time that the gentleman «assisted» me he was watching another customer run on the treadmill and helping out the staff working with him to analyze his gait. I’m glad to see that customer service is present here somewhere but I would’ve liked to be on the receiving end of it. I had to keep interrupting him to ask questions and expected that he would have me walk around in a few different pairs to look at my gait and the fit– alas, all of that mornings gait analysis was reserved for this one customer. Pretty annoying. I ended up just buying the pair I went in there thinking would work (based on my uninformed, beginners opinion) and didn’t even bother looking around for anything else. I know that the store hasn’t been open for too long but for the prices they’re asking and the community they’re serving I hope they get their act together soon.

GBRC’s new store is everything you could want in your LRS: top selection of apparel, variety of fueling options, great shoe choices, accessories, and, crucially, a highly knowledgeable and friendly staff. These guys not only know running gear, they know the running world too. Best of all though, is the store’s incredible attitude towards being an active member of the community. They want to be good community citizens and are already active in supporting local running endeavors. so next time you think to order something from Amazon, don’t. Go to GBRC Andover.